Ikea Thailand To Open On Time

[HardenedSoul]

All we need now is some realistic competition for Truevisions

http://svt.se/ ?

what the . . . ?

Not sure I can pick it up in BKK, mate

[scotto]

Do they sell flat pack boats?

I reckon they would clean up at the moment

[Priceless]

I am not a lawyer, so I can't say whether the underscored (by me) above constitutes defamation. Anyway, the following is from the Wikipedia page on IKEA:

Environmental performance

After initial environmental issues like the highly publicized formaldehyde scandals in the early 1980s and 1992, IKEA took a proactive stance on environmental issues and tried to prevent future incidents through a variety of measures.[51] In 1990, IKEA invited Karl-Henrik Robèrt, founder of The Natural Step, to address its board of directors. Robert's system conditions for sustainability provided a strategic approach to improving the company's environmental performance. In 1990, IKEA adopted The Natural Step framework as the basis for its environmental plan.[52] This led to the development of an Environmental Action Plan, which was adopted in 1992. The plan focused on structural change, allowing IKEA to "maximize the impact of resources invested and reduce the energy necessary to address isolated issues."[52] The environmental measures taken, include the following:

1.Replacing polyvinylchloride (PVC) in wallpapers, home textiles, shower curtains, lampshades, and furniture—PVC has been eliminated from packaging and is being phased out in electric cables;

2.minimizing the use of formaldehyde in its products, including textiles;

3.eliminating acid-curing lacquers;

4.producing a model of chair (OGLA) made from 100% post-consumer plastic waste;

5.introducing a series of air-inflatable furniture products into the product line. Such products reduce the use of raw materials for framing and stuffing and reduce transportation weight and volume to about 15% of that of conventional furniture;

6.reducing the use of chromium for metal surface treatment;

7.limiting the use of substances such as cadmium, lead, PCB, PCP, and AZO pigments;

8.using wood from responsibly managed forests that replant and maintain biological diversity; (underscored by me)

9.using only recyclable materials for flat packaging and "pure" (non-mixed) materials for packaging to assist in recycling.[52]

10.introducing rental bicycles with trailers for customers in Denmark.[53]

More recently, IKEA has stopped providing plastic bags to customers, but offers reusable bags for sale. The IKEA restaurants also only offer reusable plates, knives, forks, spoons, etc. Toilets in some IKEA restrooms have been outfitted with dual-function flushers. IKEA has recycling bins for compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), energy saving bulbs, and batteries. In 2001 IKEA was one of the first companies to operate its own cross-border freight trains through several countries in Europe.[54]

In August 2008, IKEA also announced that it had created IKEA GreenTech, a €50 million venture capital fund. Located in Lund (a college town in Sweden), it will invest in 8–10 companies in the coming five years with focus on solar panels, alternative light sources, product materials, energy efficiency, and water saving and purification. The aim is to commercialise green technologies for sale in IKEA stores within 3–4 years.[55][56]

In order to make IKEA a more sustainable company a product life cycle has been created, and there is now a never ending list. The idea stage says that products should be flat packed so more can be shipped at once, and that products should be easy to dismantle and recycle. Raw materials are used, and since wood and cotton are two of the most important products in IKEA production so IKEA makes the most out of every tree and cotton plant, and works with environmentally friendly forests and cotton without the excessive use of chemicals and water. Manufacturing comes third in the life cycle and includes IWAY which is IKEA's code of conduct for manufactures and suppliers which makes and enforces requirements for working conditions, social and environmental standards, and what suppliers can expect from them in return. Marketing is another part of IKEA's life cycle and as much of their paper for their catalogs comes from responsibly managed forests. The catalog is also now made smaller which requires less paper, and less waste in the process. This also enables more catalogs to be shipped per load. IKEA stores recycle waste, and many run on renewable energy, and energy-saving bulbs and sensors are used. All employees are trained in environmental and social responsibility, and IKEA strives to give customers access to good public transit, and well as the stores being involved in the local community. IKEA products help customers to live a more sustainable life at home. The coffee served is also certified organic. The last stage of the life cycle is the end of life. Most IKEA stores take back burned out light bulbs and drained batteries and makes sure they are recycled responsibly. IKEA is also currently working on developing a way to take back recycled sofas and other home furnishing products that have reached their own end of life.

/ Priceless

Edited November 4, 2011 by sbk

[bkkjames]

So no plastic bags? The local population is in for a shock.

Those who line up tomorrow be sure to post again with your thoughts.

If you thought it was bad trying to get around tesco or big c - then following the sheep around ikea is bound to be relaxing

[DP25]

Yes, IKEA (a Swedish company) is a good role model that the Thai-Chinese company owners could learn from.

I bet there is a lot they'd like to learn from IKEA. IKEA is actually registered as a non profit charity (dedicated "to promote and support innovation in the field of architectural and interior design" and it gives a couple million Euros per year to this cause) in the Netherlands and pays almost no taxes on it's profits. They've gone to great lengths to ensure they pay almost nothing. Even Thaksin would be impressed.

[Khun Jean]

Co-workers are told to prioritise homes, safety and families over work. Time off for flood-related issues has no impact on salary. We also have a flooding policy in place.

Compare that to a Thai-Chinese controlled company where a few of my family members work. If they not show up for 1 day, they get fired. Even after working there for +15 years.

Even the few 'public' holidays to help people with the flood was denied.

Good on you Ikea, you will have my support and will visit you frequently.

Impossible.

You might not know that there is no unemployment in Thailand, so any company having these rules wouldn't find and be able to keep staff !

I guess you write this comment from a western country. Welcome to the real Thailand.

[rogerdee123]

For those of you going Ikea shopping tomorrow, I just read in the news update that "Marine Park" is also open.

Edited November 2, 2011 by rogerdee123

[Bangkokhatter]

So no plastic bags? The local population is in for a shock.

Those who line up tomorrow be sure to post again with your thoughts.

If you thought it was bad trying to get around tesco or big c - then following the sheep around ikea is bound to be relaxing

There were some confused people at the tills last week when they realised the only option was to pay for the Blue re-usables , as for the walk was fine, you don't have to follow the arrows you know

[nikster]

Can they please come to Chiang Mai? Guess not so meanwhile, we're going to go on a little family pilgrimage

The furniture is OK - I'd say compared to what we get here in Chiang Mai, IKEA is both nicer and cheaper. Nothing too exceptional but compared with SB, Winner, Index, it's fantastic.

But the best part at IKEA is the kids section with all sorts of super cute toys, kids furniture, blankets, fluffy things etc. Nobody else has anything like it. And it's all cheap, too.

The other best part is the small items section with lamps and other stuff that's great. We bought this small retro-looking plastic table lamp at IKEA Germany once. It was EUR 2.49 a piece- about 100 Baht! We liked it so much we bought 4. Then we moved to Thailand and were surprised to see the same lamp as grey import in various "hip" shops in Chiang Mai for 2,000 Baht+. And while the lamps were cheap and plastic, we still enjoy them now, 7 years later.

Edited November 2, 2011 by nikster

[PoorSucker]

So no plastic bags? The local population is in for a shock.

The IKEA shopping bag is already constructed to be a secondary sandbag for 29 baht.

http://www.ikea.com/th/en/catalog/products/30161992/

[YellowFeverCAD]

Of course they want to open on time. There is going to be a lot of people looking to buy new furniture in a couple of weeks.

Then, Ikea is not the place to shop. <SNIP>

It might be a good idea to check your facts before you post. When I moved to Thailand five years ago, I brought a lot of IKEA furniture such as bookcases, cupboards, a sofa, a dining table and chairs etc. None of this is showing the slightest sign of having been impacted by humidity.

If you don't know what you're talking about, it is a better idea to be quiet and let people think that you are an idiot than to open your mouth and prove the point.

/ Priceless

Whoa whoa there!!

Check your facts?!

Don't you know who you're talking to?

GK don't need no stinkin' facts!

In bold, perhaps the most accurate and funny statement ever made on TVF

[Tarja]

Be as negative some of you want, cos all other company's is doing the right thing right?! I'm going to ikea and ginna surely enjoy it!!! And happy to buy a bag that I can reuse!!!

That always amaze me on twitter how some people always have to be wise guys and so negative you can be critical and should but without attitude:) have a lovely day all positive thinking people it's a lovely sunny day today:)

[atyclb]

Official launch of IKEA tomorrow. Free shuttle bus from BTS Udomsuk. First 20 million baht donated to flood victims/via@Richardbarrow

That's what I like about Swedes. When they act they do it boldly and not talking only.

They have already donated a large sum of money, plus the prospect of useful commodities.

The company may be swedish but IKEA stores in many countries are franchises. It is a local franchise and I will believe it (20 million donated to flood victims) only if it is completely transparent.

[Priceless]

Official launch of IKEA tomorrow. Free shuttle bus from BTS Udomsuk. First 20 million baht donated to flood victims/via@Richardbarrow

That's what I like about Swedes. When they act they do it boldly and not talking only.

They have already donated a large sum of money, plus the prospect of useful commodities.

The company may be swedish but IKEA stores in many countries are franchises. It is a local franchise and I will believe it (20 million donated to flood victims) only if it is completely transparent.

As of last year, IKEA worldwide had 313 stores of which 34 were franchises. The Bangkok store is NOT a franchise.

On the other hand, why check the facts before posting? Truth is sooo BORING!

/ Priceless

[damole]

I'm a fan of Ikea and have already chosen my new sofa, just got to see if they will deliver to Chiang Mai. For some facts about Ikea see this article from the Economist earlier this year.

[balo]

I went there today , no surprises , IKEA is excactly the same as any other IKEA warehouse.

Up the stairs I went and turned left , and there it was , Swedish meatballs, potatoes and jam. Only 55 baht for a small portion .

ANd it was crowded , in fact I was surprised to see so many people there . But it was the opening day so time will tell if IKEA will be a hit in Thailand. I know I need to buy new chairs and a table soon.

Oh and remember to sign up for the IKEA family card , you will get points for every purchase and discounted prices .

[PoorSucker]

Meatballs.

[bkkjames]

I went there today , no surprises , IKEA is excactly the same as any other IKEA warehouse.

Up the stairs I went and turned left , and there it was , Swedish meatballs, potatoes and jam. Only 55 baht for a small portion .

ANd it was crowded , in fact I was surprised to see so many people there . But it was the opening day so time will tell if IKEA will be a hit in Thailand. I know I need to buy new chairs and a table soon.

Oh and remember to sign up for the IKEA family card , you will get points for every purchase and discounted prices .

besides the meatballs, did you purchase anything?

[BangkokBP]

I got the catalog 2012 from IKEA already 2 weeks ago by mail(with very competitive prices).

IKEA has also donated 10 million Baht for the flood victims with many useful donations of blankets and other stuff to follow. Wisely they donate all to Mae Fah Luang Foundation and the Red Cross I think.

According to my sources its apparently 20 million Baht:

"In Thailand millions of people are being displaced due to the worst flooding in decades. The IKANO Group will donate 20 million THB to Thai foundation Mae Fah Luang Foundation, who will use the money for immediate help to flood victims and for longer term support to families to build up their lives again. Additionally, they are donating blankets, cups and plates, which will be distributed to affected and hard reached areas. Co-workers have also decided to donate money designated for a co-worker event to the above mentioned foundation.

The first IKEA store in Thailand is planned to open on 3 November and the IKANO Group still plans to proceed with this, although without a grand opening or special celebrations."

[bkkjam]

I've been there twice in 2 weeks.

The meatballs taste different to those in Ikea, Malaysia.